Arsenal’s goalkeeper dilemma as the WSL returns from the winter break

As the WSL returns from the winter break and games come thick and fast, this is a time when teams are either made or broken. What separates title contenders from title winners is squad depth, and with the January window open, this is when sides bolster their squads in light of the first half of the season, especially in the wake of injuries.

Arsenal are not immune to this and most likely need to add support in goal as they are currently without their first-choice keeper, Daphne Van Domsalaar, who has not returned to full fitness after the winter break. Their second-choice keeper, Manuel Neuer, is out for the rest of the season at least with an ACL injury.

Currently, they are relying on their third goalkeeper, Anneke Borbe.

She joined Arsenal in July 2025 on a free transfer from Wolfsburg and was thrown into the deep end in December against Liverpool. She received credit from manager Renée Slegers for stepping up. 

 She has been impressive stepping in for injured primary keepers and earned praise for her composure, accurate distribution, including high passing accuracy, aerial ability and strong saves, leading to positive results like clean sheets and wins, establishing herself as a reliable presence despite initial pressure. 

She has since made three starts in the WSL and two appearances in the Champions League. The 25-year-old conceded two goals and has kept one clean sheet in the WSL. 

The keeper has a high passing accuracy, with one source citing 96% in the UWCL and another citing 100% on long balls. 

She is known for accurate long balls and overall high passing accuracy, a valuable asset for a modern keeper, and her height helps her deal with crosses effectively. 

Daphne van Domselaar was confirmed to have been playing through discomfort and an injury in her quad tendon with injections back in December. She has recently started training on the grass again in January; she has been doing little training. She had been managing the injury for a long time. She is in the rehabilitation phase and working her way back to full match fitness. She was not fit enough to play for the Netherlands’ national team during that period. 

This setback came two months after their second keeper, Manuela Zinsberger, suffered an ACL injury in training in October, requiring surgery and sidelining her for the rest of the season. She is now focused on her recovery after a successful surgery.                 

Without their number one or two keeper, they have recalled Naomi Williams from Loan at Bristol City. This has been cited due to injuries in their own squad, and at 18 years old, an Arsenal academy product who signed her first professional contract in June 2025 made only three appearances. This is not unusual; clubs sometimes recall loanees mid-season to cover injuries or to meet tactical needs.

Arsenal are hoping to sign a new goalkeeper in January following their latest injury blow.

When Renee Slegers was asked about the goalkeeper situation ahead of the January transfer window. “Yes, definitely, because Manu is out and Daphne has been managing issues, so we’re definitely looking. When we have more clarity, then of course things will go forward and become public.

“We’re definitely looking at that position because we think we need a powerful goalkeeper union with three goalkeepers available, and we’re not in that situation at the moment, so we’ll have to solve that for the second half of the season.”

But with the recall of Naomi Williams and the gradual return to fitness of van Domselaar, it seems unlikely they will sign a new goalkeeper, especially as Anneke Borbe has exceeded expectations, especially getting a clean sheet against Manchester United. But given the situation they were in and knowing Zinsberger will not be available at all this season, securing a more experienced keeper would be wise, especially given their eldest keepers are only 25 years old. Even a loan deal like Chelsea did last season would work to the end of the season. 

As the WSL returns from the winter break and games come thick and fast, this is a time when teams are either made or broken. What separates title contenders from title winners is squad depth, and with the January window open, this is when sides bolster their squads in light of the first half of the season, especially in the wake of injuries.

Arsenal are not immune to this and most likely need to add support in goal as they are currently without their first-choice keeper, Daphne Van Domsalaar, who has not returned to full fitness after the winter break. Their second-choice keeper, Manuel Neuer, is out for the rest of the season at least with an ACL injury.

Currently, they are relying on their third goalkeeper, Anneke Borbe.

She joined Arsenal in July 2025 on a free transfer from Wolfsburg and was thrown into the deep end in December against Liverpool. She received credit from manager Renée Slegers for stepping up. 

 She has been impressive stepping in for injured primary keepers and earned praise for her composure, accurate distribution, including high passing accuracy, aerial ability and strong saves, leading to positive results like clean sheets and wins, establishing herself as a reliable presence despite initial pressure. 

She has since made three starts in the WSL and two appearances in the Champions League. The 25-year-old conceded two goals and has kept one clean sheet in the WSL. 

The keeper has a high passing accuracy, with one source citing 96% in the UWCL and another citing 100% on long balls. 

She is known for accurate long balls and overall high passing accuracy, a valuable asset for a modern keeper, and her height helps her deal with crosses effectively. 

Daphne van Domselaar was confirmed to have been playing through discomfort and an injury in her quad tendon with injections back in December. She has recently started training on the grass again in January; she has been doing little training. She had been managing the injury for a long time. She is in the rehabilitation phase and working her way back to full match fitness. She was not fit enough to play for the Netherlands’ national team during that period. 

This setback came two months after their second keeper, Manuela Zinsberger, suffered an ACL injury in training in October, requiring surgery and sidelining her for the rest of the season. She is now focused on her recovery after a successful surgery.                 

Without their number one or two keeper, they have recalled Naomi Williams from Loan at Bristol City. This has been cited due to injuries in their own squad, and at 18 years old, an Arsenal academy product who signed her first professional contract in June 2025 made only three appearances. This is not unusual; clubs sometimes recall loanees mid-season to cover injuries or to meet tactical needs.

Arsenal are hoping to sign a new goalkeeper in January following their latest injury blow.

When Renee Slegers was asked about the goalkeeper situation ahead of the January transfer window. “Yes, definitely, because Manu is out and Daphne has been managing issues, so we’re definitely looking. When we have more clarity, then of course things will go forward and become public.

“We’re definitely looking at that position because we think we need a powerful goalkeeper union with three goalkeepers available, and we’re not in that situation at the moment, so we’ll have to solve that for the second half of the season.”

But with the recall of Naomi Williams and the gradual return to fitness of van Domselaar, it seems unlikely they will sign a new goalkeeper, especially as Anneke Borbe has exceeded expectations, especially getting a clean sheet against Manchester United. But given the situation they were in and knowing Zinsberger will not be available at all this season, securing a more experienced keeper would be wise, especially given their eldest keepers are only 25 years old. Even a loan deal like Chelsea did last season would work until the end of the season.